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Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 156
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2008 - 08:34 pm: | 
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This is a video of how I got my books on Oprah. If I can do it, you can too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7azSvn6Nbg
www.DTPollard.com |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2468
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2008 - 09:33 pm: |
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Just curious, do you ever pay Troy for your constant self promotion on this site? He does have services that you can actually PAY FOR. |
Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 157
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 01:41 am: |
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I have had paid ads here. My promotion on other sites that draw hits to my site also should draw hits to this site since I have links to AALBC and Thumpers Corner on my site.
I have also placed paid ads on other sites such as Cushcity.com.
As for constant self promotion, I beg to differ. On every other message board I participate in, it is common for authors to place their website links as an auto signature on everything they post. Secondly most of my posts refer to a topic for reply and on this page I only saw one thread I started that didn't get a reply. I counted about 10 from another poster with no replies.
I raised the library funding issue, Wendy Williams/Omorosa issue, Sister Souljah/Midnight sequel/prequel issue and had a discussion about taking an audio deal to an agent in order to get a printed book deal.
People seem compelled to comment on topics I post that are relevant and yes I mix them with a link or two. Getting feedback on marketing attempts is a part of the business just much as writing and editing are. I will do paid ads on aalbc again, but find it curious that you call me out when there seems to be much more obvious targets. Maybe I'm not well known or familiar enough, after all, I'm just a southern country guy that knocks out a book every year or so when I get the time.
www.DTPollard.com |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2469
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 08:25 am: |
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I wasn't necessarily "calling you out", but there are many, many authors who post here, some quite famous, and others not so, just like you and I, who do not use the board for self-promotion nearly as much as you do. You'd be surprised to find how many authors who have made the top five of the Essence bestseller list repeatedly, do not use the board as you do.
And you have posted where others have not responded. Anyone who has posted regularly has. So what?
Look, I'm not trying to advise you on how to conduct yourself here, it just gets a bit irritating when authors relentlessly self promote under the guise of giving information. And though you may think you're being subtle about it, I assure you that it is glaringly obvious. That's all I'm saying. It gets irritating. |
Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 158
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 11:15 am: |
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You know I am a member of many message boards. I really don't remember how I found AALBC but I think I did a search for African American Literature forums/message boards. I like this board and the interchanges that occur. On the other hand every message board has a personality just like cities, towns and regions of the United States. The diversity of posters give life and flavor to the interchange.
I have seen boards become insular and almost evolve into chat rooms and new posters become few as they sometimes get almost a "pile on" by regulars. I have seen that happen here and elsewhere on occasion. For the most part this is a cyberspace stop where authors, readers and the curious can sample a variety of opinions.
Different things annoy different people. I don't choose to announce my annoyances to the world. Sometimes those that are annoyed may have a particular reason that others don't share for their annoyance. I consider an announcement that someone is irritated to be a personal statement that they have assumed applies to an entire group. Someone out there may have said, hey, that gave me an idea for a video to promote my book, song or whatever.
I'm a fan of sifting, I take it all in and use what I like and ignore or discard the rest. I can sift without announcing what I don't like because it may be great for someone else.
www.DTPollard.com |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2470
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 11:33 am: |
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You are not the first person to do this and I am not the first one to say it's irritating. But hey, if others here like it I love it, okay? By all means DO YOU!
Peace! |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2471
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 11:49 am: |
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By the way, this board is about opinions and my opinion is relentless self promotion is irritating on a board that is about OPINIONS on (mostly) book related topics, and is a site that features paid promotion.
This site is unique in that it allows those who feel they must to use this space for personal promotion. I can name similar sites who would block you if try it there. But really, if Troy doesn't care it doesn't matter what I think now does it? |
Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 159
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 12:31 pm: |
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Look, I have tried a lot of different advertising avenues. Last year I think right before Christmas I ran a cover ad of my book Fools' Heaven here on AALBC. I have done pay-per-click, cover ads on Cushcity.com, paid email book clubs blasts and even bought an inside program cover for a book club conference in Atlanta before withdrawing it because I could not get confirmed to attend the event.
I have done direct mail, post cards, endless bookfairs, festivals, TV and other events that required table fees. I even posted some photos here of other authors that attented a Dallas event. All told in 2007 I hit the low five figure mark in marketing expenditure. Then you evaluate wht is working and what is not. This year I'm trying different approaches and mixed paid with social networking marketing. The bottom line is most business ventures look at ROI(return on investment).
I have looked at a lot of things in this business and almost went retail with an automated book venture but found a difference in how niche book selling is viewed in the US vs Europe and South America. I still have the Ingram application, R&D results, business name filing and the rest. In this economy it truned out to be a wise move to hold back as it was capital intensive.
I respect Troy and what he has built here and I will run more ads. In fact I follow him on Twitter and noticed that had been at Jokaes Bookstore in Dallas and that store owner has been one of my biggest supporters.
Most sites give short shrift to AA literature. This business has a broad reach and many sides.
www.DTPollard.com |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2472
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2008 - 01:13 pm: |
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LOL! Look,OK, I said Do YOU, okay? It doesn't make sense to keep rehashing things,especially since nothing you've said changes my mind. I'm done.
Have a happy NEW YEAR! LOL!!!! |
Libralind2
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 1140
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 12:22 pm: |
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DT that was cute. Keep on doing you..as someone here said
LiLi |
Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 165
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 04:38 pm: |
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Libralind2, I made an earlier video about my books going on strike against me until they got on Oprah. I was in Chicago for my son finishing Navy boot camp and could not resist going by Harpo to make a sequel. I created a video channel with videos, some book related and some political. It is at:
www.YouTube.com/hen1785
www.DTPollard.com |
Libralind2
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 1142
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 06:04 pm: |
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Your a mess..that was pretty good
LiLi |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1479
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 08:52 pm: |
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A_womon@DTPollard.com |
Ferociouskitty
Veteran Poster
Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 502
Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 09:32 pm: |
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Okay, the subject line hooked me. Cute! |
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